Method and apparatus for the modeling and query of database structures using natural language-like constructs
First Claim
1. Apparatus for specifying database designs including a general purpose programmable digital computer, said computer having central processing unit, bus, display device, data entry device, memory, graphical user interface, and repository means, said apparatus further comprising:
- diagram means for producing a diagram on said display device;
cursor control means, responsive to said data entry device, for controlling movement of a cursor over said diagram;
text input means, responsive to said data entry device, for entering text into an edit window, items of said text including objects, facts about said objects, and constraints on said objects;
text translation means for translating a text item from said edit window into said diagram, including(a) capture means, responsive to a first selector means of said data entry device, for capturing an item of said text from within said edit window,(b) item test means, responsive to said capture means, for testing whether a text item is an object, a fact or a constraint,(c) cursor change means, responsive to said item test means, for changing said cursor to reflect whether said text item is an object, a fact or a constraint,(d) cursor release means, further responsive to said first selector means of said data entry device, for dropping said text item onto said diagram,(e) text collection means for collecting said text item at said edit window,(f) parsing means, responsive to said text collection means, for parsing said text item into objects, facts, and constraints,(g) first update means for updating said repository by copying said objects, facts and constraints into said repository as records,(h) said diagram means, further responsive to said cursor control device, said capture means, said item test means, said cursor change means, said cursor release means, and said parsing means, for drawing said objects, facts and constraints on said diagram;
text validation means including(a) first text combining means for combining said text from said edit window,(b) said parsing means, further responsive to said first text combining means, for parsing said text into said objects, facts and constraints,(c) first error checking means, further responsive to said parsing means, for determining if an error exists in said objects, facts or constraints; and
text compilation means for compiling said text only into said repository means.
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Abstract
Computerized tools for modeling database designs and specifying queries of the data contained therein. Once it is determined that an information system needs to be created, the Fact Compiler of the present invention is invoked to create it. After creating the information system, the user creates a fact-tree as a prelude to generating queries to the system. After creating the fact-tree, the user verifies that it is correct using the Tree Interpreter of the present invention. Once the fact tree has been verified, the Query Mapper of the present invention is used to generate information system queries.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for specifying database designs including a general purpose programmable digital computer, said computer having central processing unit, bus, display device, data entry device, memory, graphical user interface, and repository means, said apparatus further comprising:
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diagram means for producing a diagram on said display device; cursor control means, responsive to said data entry device, for controlling movement of a cursor over said diagram; text input means, responsive to said data entry device, for entering text into an edit window, items of said text including objects, facts about said objects, and constraints on said objects; text translation means for translating a text item from said edit window into said diagram, including (a) capture means, responsive to a first selector means of said data entry device, for capturing an item of said text from within said edit window, (b) item test means, responsive to said capture means, for testing whether a text item is an object, a fact or a constraint, (c) cursor change means, responsive to said item test means, for changing said cursor to reflect whether said text item is an object, a fact or a constraint, (d) cursor release means, further responsive to said first selector means of said data entry device, for dropping said text item onto said diagram, (e) text collection means for collecting said text item at said edit window, (f) parsing means, responsive to said text collection means, for parsing said text item into objects, facts, and constraints, (g) first update means for updating said repository by copying said objects, facts and constraints into said repository as records, (h) said diagram means, further responsive to said cursor control device, said capture means, said item test means, said cursor change means, said cursor release means, and said parsing means, for drawing said objects, facts and constraints on said diagram; text validation means including (a) first text combining means for combining said text from said edit window, (b) said parsing means, further responsive to said first text combining means, for parsing said text into said objects, facts and constraints, (c) first error checking means, further responsive to said parsing means, for determining if an error exists in said objects, facts or constraints; and text compilation means for compiling said text only into said repository means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for specifying database designs including a computer, said computer having central processing unit, bus, display device, data entry device, memory, graphical user interface, and repository, said method comprising the steps of:
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producing a diagram on said display device; controlling movement of a cursor over said diagram responsive to said data entry device; entering text into an edit window further responsive to said data entry device, items of said text including objects, facts about said objects, and constraints on said objects; translating a text item from said edit window into said diagram, including the steps of (a) capturing an item of said text from within said edit window, responsive to a first selector of said data entry device, (b) responsive to said step of capturing an item of said text, testing whether a text item is an object, a fact or a constraint, (c) changing said cursor to reflect whether said text item is an object, a fact or a constraint, (d) dropping said text item onto said diagram, (e) collecting said text item at said edit window, (f) parsing said text item into objects, facts, and constraints, (g) updating said repository by copying said objects, facts and constraints into said repository as records, and (h) further responsive to said cursor control device and said steps of capturing an item of said text, testing whether a text item is an object, a fact or a constraint, changing said cursor, dropping said text item, and parsing said text item into objects, facts, and constraints, drawing said objects, facts and constraints on said diagram; validating said text, including the steps of (a) combining said text from said edit window into an item, (b) said parsing step for parsing said text item into objects, facts, and constraints, (c) responsive to said step of parsing said text, determining if an error exists in said objects, facts or constraints; and compiling said text only into said repository. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification